Signaling device



Apri] 1l, 1939. c. F. scHEr-:L Er AL,

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 1939.

c. F. SCHEEL 'Er A1.

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1936 3v Sheets-Sheet 2 April 11, 1939- A c. F. scHl-:EL Erm. 2,154,360

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iff mk Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNALING DEVICE of Illinois Application May 2, 1936, Serial No. 77,584

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to devices for location at dangerous points yof intersection of paths traveled by vehicles, and more particularly adjacent to intersections of highways and cross roads, and

f at railroad crossings, and operative by the impingem'ent of light` thereagainst from the headlights of vehicles approaching the intersection to display a warning signal to vehicles approaching the intersection along other paths disposed ld angularly thereto, as for example, along an iny tersecting road; and our primary object is to provide a novel, simple, and economical construction of device for this purpose, and by which, preferably, the device will not berendered luminous to the drivers of ears approaching it unless another car is approaching the device from such a direction and is'so close to the device as to require a warning signal to be given to avoid danger of collision between cars approaching the intersection along angularly disposed paths.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the principle of operation of the signaling device.

Figure 2 is a plan diagrammatic view showing the intersection of two through roads disposed at right angles to eac-h other, the intersection being equipped with signaling devices in accordance with our invention for protecting the trailic moving in 'all olirections.y

Figure 3 is a similarview showing the intersection between one through road and another 'road at right angles thereto and terminating at the intersection, the intersection shown being equipped with signaling devices for .protecting the tramo moving in all directions toward the intersection.

Figure i is a perspective View of a portion of the light-deflecting element of our improved sigo ynalingr device, this view showing one of the forms in which this element may Vbe provided.

Figure 5 is a similar view of another'form in Y which the light-deilecting element may be provided. 'I

Figure 6 is a similar view of still another `form in which the light-deiiecting element may be provided. Y

Figure 7 is a `face View of the signaling device with a portion of one of the side wings thereof 50 broken 'away to disclose a detail of construction.

Figure 8 is a section takenxat the line 8 on Fig'. 7 and viewed in thedirection of the arrow.

Figure 49 is a plan viewof Athe signaling device.

Figure l0 is a view 'in elevation of one end oi the main portion of the vsigna-ling device, the

(ci. :as-'78) n y Wing at this end of the device being removed;

and

Figure 1l, an elevational view of one of the similar Wings, shown at the line II on Fig. 9 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. 1.5

The invention contemplates the provision of a light-dellecting device for installation adjacent the intersection to be guarded, provided on a surface thereof with prismatic projections and so positioned that the rays of light from the head- 10 lights of cars approaching the intersection along angularly disposed paths will render the device luminous, and thus serve as a signal, to the drivers of the cars traveling in both directions toward the intersection, warning each of the approach of 15 the other to the intersection.

'I'he signaling device shown comprises a frame I2; a housed light-deflecting member I3 preferably formed of a glass plate-like portion I4 provided on its front face with prismatic projections V20 'preferably cast integrally therewith, the member I3 being preferably colored ,red vto display a red warning signal and a protecting metal mesh member I5 for the member I3.

The signaling device which, in practice, would .25 be set angularly to the paths traversed by the cars to fbe signaled, is carried by a post I6 shown as anchored `in the ground, the connection between the frame I2 and post I6 being preferably such as to adapt the signal device to be accurately ando delicately adjusted on vthe post I6 into the exact angular position necessary for it to properly function. Desirable connecting means for this purpose lare shown at I'I and comprise a pair of disks I8 and I9 one of which is connected with-135 a horizontal arm IIim on the upper end of the post I6; a pair of wedge rings 20 and 2| interposed between fthe Vdisks I8 and I 9, with their beveled faces 22 and 23 directly opposed as shown;

4andrbolts `24 extending through the central openings in the rings, these bolts engaging the rear plate member 25 of the frame I2 and extending through the disks I8 and I 9 and serving to rigidly secure the connecting means to the frame and 'the several parts of these means tightly together, .45 it being understood that by relatively rotating the wedge rings v2l) and 2I, the provision of-which renders the connecting means vsimilar in effect to a universal joint, the signaling `device may be tiltingly adjusted in both horizontal and vertical 'B0 planes and this yadjustment accurately maintained lby tightening the clamp bolts 24.

'The-signalingfdevice shown is also adapted for the vdisplay of `'anysuitable or desirable signal in addition to the AWarning signal referred `to, fas "P for example, slow, caution or danger signals for signaling the cars approaching the signal device and which may, if desired, be of the renective type embodying, for example, suitable signal words spelled out by reflective buttons, to render it luminous,'at night, to the drivers of the cars whose lights strike the device as the cars near the intersection. Such signals may be provided on separate plate-like members shown as forming wings 26 on the ends of the frame |2 and inclining rearwardly and outwardly at approximately 45 as shown.

Provision is made for readily attaching to the frame I2 the wings 25 having the desired signaling indicia thereon, as by providing the deflected tongues 21 on the ends of the frame i2, shown as formed fromI metal partially cut from these ends, these tongues extending through slots 28 in rearwardly extending flanges 29 on the front edges of the wings 26, and supporting these Wings at the top walls of the slots 28.

As illustrative of the use of the signaling devices, reference may here be made to the diagram shown in Fig. 2 representing two-way four-lane intersecting roads 30 and 3|, together with signaling devices of a number and so positioned as to protect all trailic traversing these roads. Four of these devices, represented at 32, 33, 34 and 35, and all of the same construction, are employed, there being one of these signaling devices at each corner of the intersection.

The angles at which the signaling devices would be set to extend relative to the adjacent roads would depend on the particular arrangement of the prismatic projections. Where the projections are arranged symmetrically with the flat face of the plate as in the case of the various constructions illustrated and hereinafter described and where the roads are two-way double-lane roads and the devices are located at corners of the intersection as shown in Fig. 2, the signaling devices would be set about 4 01T from the lines 36 bisecting the corners 3'| at the intersection as shown to compensate for the laterally offset placement of the signaling devices vrelative to the roads.

Treating the layout shown in Fig. 2, as in the case of a map, the signaling device 32 at the northeast corner of the intersection serves as a signaling means for cars travelling west along the north side of road 39 and north along the east side of road 3| toward the intersection; the signaling device 33 at the northwest corner of the intersection serves as a signaling means `for cars traveling west along the north side of road 30 and south along the west side of road 37| toward the intersection; the signaling device 34 at the southwest corner of the intersection serves as a signaling means for cars traveling east along the 'south side of road 39 and south along the west side of road 3| toward the intersection; and the signaling device 35 at the southeast corner of the intersection serves as a signaling means for cars traveling east along the south side of road 30 and north along the east sideof road 3| toward the intersection.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 but two of the signaling devices represented at 38 and 39 are employed, the device 38, located at the corner of the intersection between the roads 49 and 4| and offset from the 45 intersection corner-bisecting line 42 as explained of the device shown in Fig. 2, serving asa signaling means for cars travelling east along the south side of road 40 and north along thek east side of road4| toward vto the plane of said plate.

the intersection; and the device 39, located at the head of the road 4| on the north side of road 40 and in line with the center of road 4| and disposed at approximately a angle to these roads as shown, serving as a signaling means for cars travelling north along the east side of road 4| and west along the north side of road 40 toward the intersection.

In accordance Vwith the preferred illustrated embodiments of my invention, certain of the surfaces of the prismatic deflecting projections against which the incident rays impinge and certain of those through which the deflected rays pass from the prisms are disposed in angular relationship to others of these surfaces in order that the device will be effective as a warning to cars approaching the intersection regardless of the distance of the cars from the edges of the roads along which they are traveling and the relative distance thereof from the intersection.

Thus in accordance with the form shown in Figs. l and 4, each prism, all of which are shown of the right-angled type and extend vertically, is disposed parallel with, but at a different angle from, the adjacent prisms, the prisms being provided in multiple groups of any desired number, each group shown as comprising ve prisms, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 4'|, the intermediate onerof which, 45, is symmetrically disposed relative to the plate i4 with each of its right-*angled faces 48 and 49 disposedV at 45 to the plane of the plate E4. The prisms 44 and 46 at opposite sides of the prism 45 are slightly outwardly turned to cause the right-angled faces 50 and 5| of prism 44 to extend at angles of 42V2 and lLV1/2, respectively, to the plane of the plate I4 and to cause the right-angled faces 52 and 53 of prism 45 to extend at angles of 421A?Y0 and 471/22 respectively, The end prisms 43 and 47'of the group are also outwardly turned, but to a greater degree, to cause the right-angled faces 54 and 55 of Vprism 43 to extend at angles of 40 and 50, respectively, to the plane of the plate |4, and the right-angled faces 56 and 51 of prism 4'| to extend at angles of 40 and 50, respectively, to the plane of this plate, such disposition of Vthe prisms and their groupings being more clearly illustrated in the diagrammatic showing in Fig. l wherein the generalY spiral form, an example of such an arrangement being shown in Fig-5. In his construction the Vprisms, are represented at 60 and the angles at which their right-angled faces extend relative to the plane of the supporting plate I4 progressively change from one end to the other of each of these prisms as shown thereby causing these 'risms to be of spiral form. In the arrangement shown the right-angled faces 5| and 52 of these prisms extend'at their upper ends at angles of 45 to the plane of the plate |4. At their lower ends the faces lextend at angles of approximately 40 to the plane of the plate |4.and the faces 52 at angles of approximately 50 to the plane of this plate.

In accordance with the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the desired effect referred to isobtained by a multiple of small prisms arranged in a vertical series of horizontal rows thereof of any desirable number, as for example in groups of five rows each, the rows of one group, and typical of the entire construction, being shown at 61, E8, 69, 'l0 and 1l. These rows, by way of example, may be formed of groups of dilTerently disposed prisms as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and above explained, a horizontal section through each row 61-'H being similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 4, with the prisms of each succeeding horizontal row thereof offset laterally relative to the prisms of the adjacent row, as shown, whereby each of the Vertical groups of prisms shown is composed of five diferently positioned prisms and corresponding to the prisms of Figs. 1 and 4 considering the latter as out by a horizontal section, those of the prisms Whose right angled surfaces are disposed at angles of fl5 to the plane of the plate I4 being represented at 61a, 68a, 69a, 10a, and lla.

While we have illustrated and described certain specific embodiments of our invention, we do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modied and altered and the invention embodied in other forms of structure, without departing from the spirit of the invention, it being our intention to claim the invention as fully and completely as the prior state of the art will permit. Thus, by Way of example of a further modification of our invention, the signaling device is not limited to use at a right-angled junction or intersection, and when provided for use at such a different junction or intersection the angularity of adjacent faces of the prisms will be correspondingly varied to deect the light at substantially the same angle, relative to the incident rays as that presented between the roads to be protected by the signaling device.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a traiic signal, the combination with a supporting means for maintaining the signal angularly to the path traversed by vehicles to be signaled, of a transparent light deecting plate having one hat side forming a. plane light reflecting surface and having integral with the opposite side of said plate a plurality of groups of transparent parallel right angled triangular prisms having hypotenuses lying in a plane parallel to said at side, each of said groups consisting of ve or more prisms of which the intermediate prism is of isosceles transverse cross section and the prisms on either side of said intermediate prism are of scalene transverse cross section with their base angles which are nearer said intermediate prism progressively decreasing in magnitude as the distance of the respective prisms from said intermediate prism increases.

2. In a traflic signal, the combination with a supporting means for maintaining the signal angularly to the path traversed by Vehicles to be signaled, of a transparent light deflecting plate having one flat side forming a plane light deflecting surface and having integral with the opposite side of said plate a plurality of groups of transparent parallel right angled triangular prisms having hypotenuses lying in a plane parallel to said flat side, the intermediate prism of each group being of isosceles transverse cross section and the prisms on either side of said ntermediate prism being of scalene transverse cross section with the base angles thereof which are nearer said intermediate prism being less than degrees in magnitude.

CHARLES F. SCHEEL. FREDERICK A. GESSLER. 

